Search

Another year down, another year filled with great tunes. Below is a list (in alphabetical order) of 50 albums I dug in 2016. Normally I shy away from naming my top album because quite frankly I think there is too much great music that gets released throughout the year but this year is different because to me, A Tribe Called Quest didn’t just shock everyone by announcing and releasing its first album in 18 years, coupled with the loss earlier this year of Phife Dawg but it was the perfect album at the right time when “We The People” needed it. We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service is the album of the year and if you haven’t for some reason, dive into it, listen closely. We need more like ATCQ in 2017 and the years to come, there is a purpose to this album, find yours as I found mine. Peace + Love + Music. See you in 2017.

For all of us who grew up listening to A Tribe Called Quest, last Friday was like winning the lottery with the first new album in 18 years (RIP Phife). How it went down (read it here), the timing, etc. all aligned at the right moment. Don’t believe me? Have you listened to the album?! Plus Pitchfork just gave it a 9.0! Now comes the first music video for the lead single, “We The People…”

My love of hip-hop I can say was sprouted from listening to A Tribe Called Quest. Sure there were others too but there was always something about ATCQ, a realness and authenticity. Like other groups, they had their issues and eventually disbanded (and got back together on special occasions, lastly I believe in Nov. 2015 on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) but together, they were simply the best.

Yesterday I came across across a really great Q&A interview online from New York Magazine with Michael Rapaport in regards to his documentary on A Tribe Called Quest. I remember when I first heard about this documentary I was so excited and then I quickly learned of all the drama and bickering going back and forth right around Sundance. Below is an excerpt from the interview which took place during the Tribeca Film Festival and click HERE to read the whole thing.

(via New York Magazine)

You came into this as a fan. Are you less of a fan? I love the group; I still love the music; I still get off on the music. I will not be the director of A Tribe Called Quest documentary, part two. This conflict has definitely changed my perception of them as individuals, but the music is the music.

Do they have control over the soundtrack? Yeah, the soundtrack is their domain. They have control over it. And at this point, up until now, they have chosen not to do anything with the soundtrack.

And what was the question that you wanted to answer by doing the movie? The question that I wanted to answer by doing the movie was, “Will A Tribe Called Quest make more music?” And I think we got our answer because there’s no soundtrack. But it’s not too late yet.

Because you haven’t released the movie yet. We’ve got release in July, and what better way to go off into the sunset, to make one original song for your documentary? And to see A Tribe Called Quest at the fucking Oscars performing a brand-new song — that would be crazy for hip-hop. They could write the song for me. I’ll perform the shit myself. If they write the song, I’ll do it. I’ll hire look-alikes to do it.

If you are at or heading to Sundance this weekend you are a lucky individual as Michael Rapaport (yes the actor) premieres his documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Collectively one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time who shaped the game for many of today’s most loved and admired stars, I’m very interested to see this documentary about Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi and the footage Rapaport has used to tell the story.

For the first Friday in August here’s a little summer playlist of songs you should be adding into your music rotation to help get you through the hot, hot heat. While I suggest checking out all the songs and artists below, don’t miss a few of the unknowns like Blue King Brown, a fantastic reggae band from Australia, the original recording of “The Seed” by Cody ChesnuTT (not The Roots) and “Some Fantasy” by D.W. Brandt which is a must and you can only find it on the 1% For The Planet album.

Disclaimer:

DoYouHearTheMusic.com was created to bring added awareness to artists and bands that we love. MP3's/videos/photos/artwork posted are to help spread the word and only to be used in a positive manner. If you like what you hear, support the artists. If you are an artist featured on DoYouHearTheMusic.com and/or the author of a song/video/link/artwork posted on the site and wish to have your content removed, just contact us.